Christopher Bell, the standout driver in this year’s NASCAR Cup Series, heads to Phoenix Raceway for the season finale with a clear determination to win, even though he missed out on a spot in the Championship 4. Maintaining an average finish of 11.2 through the season, Bell’s consistent performance has been a key storyline in the Christopher Bell NASCAR Phoenix narrative, setting high expectations for this final race weekend.
Bell’s Strong Season Comes Up Just Short
Throughout 35 races, Bell has shown remarkable consistency for Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 20 Interstate Batteries Toyota, outperforming his teammate Chase Briscoe and other leading contenders like Kyle Larson in average finish. Despite achieving a career-best four victories this season, Bell fell short by just seven points after the race at Martinsville Speedway, where Larson secured the last Championship 4 spot over him by finishing fifth while Bell placed seventh.
Reflecting on the outcome at Martinsville, Bell expressed his disappointment:
“We just weren’t strong enough at Martinsville,”
said Christopher Bell, Driver.
“We practiced in the teens, we qualified in the teens, and kind of raced back there most of the day.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
Path to the Championship 4 Narrowed at Martinsville
William Byron dominated Martinsville, leading most laps and locking himself into the Championship 4 through a commanding win. Byron joined Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe—both of whom won earlier playoff races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, respectively—in the final showdown at Phoenix. The playoff structure only advances the top four drivers from Martinsville, making every position critical in the final Round of 8.
Bell entered Martinsville with a slim points lead over Larson, but his seventh-place finish was not enough to maintain it. Despite this, Bell approached the situation with sportsmanship and respect for his fellow competitors:
“I feel content with the results,”
said Christopher Bell, Driver.
“I think the four going there are legitimate contenders. Whoever the champion is, it’s going to be well-deserved. This year there’s four great drivers. All have had championship seasons. Whoever the champion is, it’s going to be well-deserving. I think the format worked out this year.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
Playoff Format and Future Outlook
The current NASCAR playoff system begins with 16 eligible drivers, who qualify by winning races or earning sufficient points during the regular season. Over three elimination rounds, the field narrows to four, who then compete for the championship in the finale. The format is likely to see changes in 2026, prompting Bell and other contenders to adapt and evolve as they chase future titles. Bell, who made the Championship 4 in both 2022 and 2023, emphasized his growing experience:
“I’m definitely more seasoned now. Every year that goes by, you have more experience and understand the name of the game a little bit more and how to play it,”
said Christopher Bell, Driver.
“Whatever the format ends up being next year, I’ll continue to improve and work within whatever the parameters are. I haven’t reached my ceiling.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
Bell’s Impressive Record at Phoenix Raceway
This Sunday, Bell will make his 216th career start in the Cup Series and his 12th appearance at Phoenix Raceway, a one-mile oval in Arizona’s desert region. Although his debut at Phoenix in 2020 saw a 24th-place finish, Bell has since developed a strong reputation at the track, winning two of the last three races there—including the most recent Cup Series visit in March, where he also led a combined 298 laps at the venue.
Bell’s expectations are high heading into the Phoenix weekend. He stated:
“Phoenix is definitely a strong track for us. We know we should be competitive if we execute the way we’re supposed to,”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
Relentless Drive to Win Despite Missing Championship 4
Although Bell will not race for the championship on Sunday, his motivation to win is undiminished, fueled by a sense of responsibility to his team, sponsors, and Joe Gibbs Racing colleagues. He highlighted what motivates him as the season concludes:
“The motivation is simple. There’s still a lot on the line, there’s a lot of money invested, and we have partners who expect results,”
said Christopher Bell, Driver.
“Interstate Batteries has been with Joe Gibbs Racing since its very beginning, and they’re on the car at Phoenix, sharing it with DEWALT. Between them and the 600-plus employees at Joe Gibbs Racing that put effort into this racecar, it’s unfair if we don’t put our best foot forward to try and win. There’s still a lot on the line.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
What to Watch During the Phoenix Race Weekend
Preparation for Bell and his No. 20 crew starts on Friday, with a 50-minute practice set for 2:35 p.m. MT, followed by qualifying on Saturday afternoon. Fans can follow these sessions on TruTV and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Phoenix gets underway Sunday at 1 p.m. MT on NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with Bell aiming to add another Phoenix win to his record, even as the championship is decided among the final four contenders.
Bell’s ongoing determination and consistent performance, together with recognition for the efforts of his team and sponsors, underscore why he remains a key figure to watch not only at Phoenix but in seasons to come.
